Page 72 of The Seven Sisters

‘Do you think so? I’m worried that Mãe may not agree. None of the women in our family have ever had a career before. But it’s something I’ve thought about for a long time, and I need to pluck up the courage to tell her.’ Maria Elisa bit her lip. ‘What do you think she will say?’

‘I hope she will say how proud she is that her daughter wishes to do something useful with her life. And I’m sure your father will be very happy with your decision.’

‘Well, I hope you’re right,’ said Maria Elisa fervently. ‘And I was thinking that while I’m in Paris, rather than waste my time here, I might volunteer at a hospital. There is one only a few minutes’ walk away from the apartment.’

Bel reached for Maria Elisa’s hands and squeezed them tightly. ‘You’re such a good person, Maria Elisa, always thinking of others. I think you have the perfect qualities to be a nurse. The world is changing for women, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t make something of our lives.’

‘Well, since I have no thought of marriage at present, why not? Of course, Bel, it’s very different for you. When you sail home in six weeks’ time, you’ll become Gustavo’s wife, run his household, and soon after that you’ll be the mother of his children. But for me, I need some other purpose in my life. Thank you for your support. I’ll speak to Mãe tomorrow.’

Once they had climbed into bed and Maria Elisa had switched off the lamp, Bel lay there sleepless once again.

Six weeks. That was all she had left in Paris, before she returned to the life her friend had so succinctly described.

Try as she might to think positive thoughts about her future, not a single one came to mind.

*

Margarida had promised she would contact Bel once she had completed a few days in Landowski’satelierto let her know when the professor deemed it suitable for Bel to join her. But so far there had been no word.

Yet again, Bel was confined to the apartment alone, as now it was Maria Elisa who was out every morning at nine, having gained the reluctant permission of her mother and secured a volunteer position at the nearby hospital. Maria Georgiana spent most of her morning attending to household tasks or writing letters.

‘It’s my mother’s birthday next month and I’d very much like to buy her something from Paris and send it to her. Would it be all right if I took a walk, senhora?’ she asked Maria Georgiana one morning at breakfast.

‘No, Izabela, I’m sure your parents would not approve of you gadding around Paris unaccompanied. And I have much to do today.’

‘Well then,’ said Heitor, overhearing, ‘why doesn’t Izabela accompany me as I walk down the Champs-Élysées to my office? Perhaps she can choose something at one of the galleries on her way? I’m sure she would come to no harm walking the few hundred metres back, my dear.’

‘As you wish,’ said Maria Georgiana with a sigh of irritation at being overruled.

*

‘The weather these days is what even a Brazilian would call warm,’ Heitor commented as the two of them set off from the apartment twenty minutes later and walked in the direction of the Champs-Élysées. ‘So, are you still enjoying Paris?’ he asked her.

‘I love it,’ Bel replied with feeling.

‘And I hear that you have been investigating the more, shall we say, Bohemian haunts of the city?’

Bel shot Heitor a guilty glance. ‘I . . .’

‘I saw your friend Margarida at Landowski’satelieryesterday and overheard her chatting to his young assistant about your mutual lunches at La Closerie des Lilas.’

Bel quailed at his remark, but Heitor saw her expression and gave her a comforting pat on the arm. ‘Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. And besides, Margarida is a very sensible young woman. She knows her way around Paris. She also asked me to tell you she will collect you tomorrow at ten o’clock on the way to theatelier.As you know, Monsieur Brouilly wishes to sculpt you. At least that will keep you out of trouble and we will all know where you are.’

Bel watched Heitor raise an eyebrow, but knew he was teasing her.

‘Thank you for relaying the news,’ she replied demurely, not wishing to express the full extent of her delight. She swiftly changed the subject. ‘Are you happy with Professor Landowski’s work on yourCristo?’

‘So far, I’m absolutely certain that I made the right decision and Landowski’s vision seems to be very much the same as mine. However, I have a long way to go before I can safely say we have the final design. And there are a number of problems that I’m pondering over at the moment. The first and major one being what material to clad ourCristoin. I have thought through so many options, but none of them sit well with me aesthetically or practically. Now, how about we try this arcade for a present for your mother? I bought Maria Georgiana a rather beautiful silk scarf from a boutique in here.’

The two of them turned into an elegant gallery and Heitor pointed to the boutique he had spoken of.

‘I shall wait for you here,’ he indicated as she went inside.

Bel picked out a soft peach scarf and a matching handkerchief that she knew would go well with her mother’s complexion. After paying for her purchases, she left the shop to find Heitor leaning over a small fountain that played in the centre of the gallery. He was staring at the bottom of it intently.

She went to stand next to him, and, sensing her presence, he pointed to the mosaic tiles that decorated the bottom of the fountain.

‘What about that?’ he asked her.